ALBANY, N.Y., June 7, 2006 — Michael Gruenthal, M.D., Ph.D., has joined the staff of Albany Medical Center as chair of the department of neurology and co-director of the Neurosciences Institute. Dr. Gruenthal comes to Albany Med from the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Kentucky where he was the Mason C. and Mary D. Rudd Chair of Neurology and director of the Epilepsy Program.

Dr. Gruenthal is a nationally known authority on epilepsy and has directed numerous clinical trials including those aimed at finding ways to prevent harmful effects of seizures on the brain. His work led to the establishment of Kentucky’s only "National Association of Epilepsy Centers" Certified Level 4 Epilepsy Center at the University of Louisville.

Dr. Gruenthal began his academic career in basic sciences before shifting to the clinical arena. After earning a Ph.D. at Washington University in St. Louis and completing a post-doctoral fellowship in neuropharmacology at Duke University, he entered medical school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After graduating and completing his residency and fellowship training in neurophysiology and epilepsy at the University of Louisville, he joined the faculty there in 1994 as an assistant professor of neurology. In 2000, he was named an associate professor and in 2002, he became chair of neurology and director of the neurology residency-training program.

Dr. Gruenthal and his wifelive in Colonie. Their two sons attend Washington University in St. Louis.